Harris perfect as Reds down Force
Source: Agencies |
March 4, 2012, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SUPER Rugby champions the Queensland Reds needed another perfect kicking performance from flyhalf Mike Harris to overcome Western Force 35-20 in a scrappy encounter in Brisbane yesterday.
The Reds scored first-half tries through Ben Tapuai and Radike Samo in greasy conditions at Lang Park but it was the 25 points from a flawless display of place-kicking from Harris, who has yet to miss a kick in Super Rugby, that proved the difference. The Force's tries came at the start of the second half from David Pocock and James Stannard.
Also yesterday, the Otago Highlanders celebrated the first Super Rugby match at their new Dunedin stadium with an impressive 27-24 victory over the Canterbury Crusaders.
Tries from hooker Andrew Hore, center Phil Burleigh and winger Hosea Gear, as well as 12 points from the boot of flyhalf Lima Sopoaga, held off a Crusaders comeback in front of a passionate crowd under the roof at the Otago Regional Stadium.
A malfunctioning stadium clock added extra drama at the death with the Highlanders twice booting the ball into touch believing the 80 minutes were up, only for the referee to continue play. The relief when the end finally came was palpable.
There has not been much to cheer about in Otago rugby recently with the financial crisis enveloping the provincial rugby union but the Highlanders did their bit to raise morale with an opening week upset of the Auckland Blues.
The seven-time champions Crusaders are an altogether different proposition and tries from wing Israel Dagg and Andy Ellis along with flyhalf Tyler Bleyendaal's 14-point tally meant the Highlanders had to fight every inch of the way for the victory.
The Reds scored first-half tries through Ben Tapuai and Radike Samo in greasy conditions at Lang Park but it was the 25 points from a flawless display of place-kicking from Harris, who has yet to miss a kick in Super Rugby, that proved the difference. The Force's tries came at the start of the second half from David Pocock and James Stannard.
Also yesterday, the Otago Highlanders celebrated the first Super Rugby match at their new Dunedin stadium with an impressive 27-24 victory over the Canterbury Crusaders.
Tries from hooker Andrew Hore, center Phil Burleigh and winger Hosea Gear, as well as 12 points from the boot of flyhalf Lima Sopoaga, held off a Crusaders comeback in front of a passionate crowd under the roof at the Otago Regional Stadium.
A malfunctioning stadium clock added extra drama at the death with the Highlanders twice booting the ball into touch believing the 80 minutes were up, only for the referee to continue play. The relief when the end finally came was palpable.
There has not been much to cheer about in Otago rugby recently with the financial crisis enveloping the provincial rugby union but the Highlanders did their bit to raise morale with an opening week upset of the Auckland Blues.
The seven-time champions Crusaders are an altogether different proposition and tries from wing Israel Dagg and Andy Ellis along with flyhalf Tyler Bleyendaal's 14-point tally meant the Highlanders had to fight every inch of the way for the victory.
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